Movement Velocity Biofeedback for Sarcopenia

Overseen By Rashelle Hoffman, PT, DPT, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Creighton University

Disqualifiers: Resistance training, Neuromuscular, Circulatory, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 3 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how different types of focus during exercise can aid older adults with sarcopenia, a condition causing muscle loss and weakness. Researchers aim to determine if movement speed feedback (external focus) during leg press exercises enhances muscle strength and motivation more effectively than no feedback (internal focus). Participants will visit a lab weekly for three weeks to perform leg press exercises and complete motivation and workload surveys. This study suits older adults who are physically independent, have experienced muscle loss but have not recently engaged in an exercise program, and are free from severe mental impairments or recent leg injuries. As an unphased trial, it offers participants a unique chance to contribute to foundational research that could improve exercise strategies for muscle health.

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this protocol is safe for older adults with sarcopenia?

Research has shown that focusing on external factors during exercise can be safe for older adults. One study found that paying attention to aspects like speed can help individuals exercise more naturally without overthinking each step. This study did not identify any major safety issues with this approach.

Although specific safety data for the exact method used in this trial is not available, other studies have demonstrated that exercise is generally safe for older adults. This suggests that focusing on external factors should be well-tolerated. However, discussing any concerns with the trial team before joining is always important. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Movement Velocity Biofeedback technique for sarcopenia because it offers a novel approach compared to traditional treatments like resistance training and nutritional supplements. This method uses biofeedback to help individuals focus on the speed of their movements, potentially enhancing muscle function more effectively. Unlike standard treatments that primarily aim to build muscle mass, this technique targets the neuromuscular system to improve movement efficiency and strength. By shifting the focus to how movements are performed, this approach could lead to quicker and more sustainable improvements in muscle function for those with sarcopenia.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for sarcopenia?

This trial will compare two approaches—External Focus and Internal Focus—to determine their effectiveness in addressing sarcopenia. Research has shown that focusing on external factors, such as movement speed, can be more beneficial than concentrating on internal sensations during exercise. This method has improved balance, performance, and posture in individuals with long-term back pain, suggesting potential benefits for other conditions like sarcopenia. Sarcopenia involves the loss of muscle mass and strength, making movement more difficult. Strength training is commonly used to combat sarcopenia, and focusing on external cues might enhance the effectiveness of these exercises. Although direct research on using external focus for sarcopenia is limited, concentrating on movement speed could increase motivation and make exercises feel easier, potentially leading to better outcomes. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults with sarcopenia, which is a condition involving muscle loss. Participants should be able to visit the lab weekly for three weeks and perform leg press exercises. Specific inclusion or exclusion criteria are not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

I can take care of myself without help.

Free of severe mental impairment

Score 4 or greater on the SARC-F sarcopenia questionnaire

Exclusion Criteria

I have Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, or issues with circulation or swelling.

Participated in a structured resistance training program in the last 12 months

I had a leg injury or surgery in the last 6 months.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Treatment

Participants perform exercise testing using a leg press and answer questionnaires regarding perceived workload and motivation

3 weeks

3 visits (in-person, once per week)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

2 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• External Focus
• Internal Focus

Trial Overview The study tests whether giving feedback on movement velocity (external focus) during resistance training affects muscle activation and self-perception differently than no cues (internal focus). It measures physical performance, motivation, and workload perception in participants.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Internal Focus Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Group II: External Focus Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Creighton University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

128

Recruited

25,800+

Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

1,600+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A study involving 117 frail elderly participants showed that 16 weeks of whole-body vibration (WBV) exercise significantly improved mobility and function, with benefits lasting up to 12 months after the intervention.

WBV exercise was safe and well-tolerated, with high compliance rates (93%), and it outperformed control and simulated WBV groups in functional tests, demonstrating its effectiveness as a training tool against age-related declines.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Whole-Body Vibration Training on the Physical Function of the Frail Elderly: An Open, Randomized Controlled Trial. Wadsworth, D., Lark, S.[2020]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12343731/

Strength training and sarcopenia—a mandatory link: focus on ... This condition manifests as decreased muscle mass and strength and has direct consequences for quality of life, including reduced mobility and ...

2. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41999-025-01285-x

Towards a core outcome set for sarcopenia intervention ... The most frequently reported outcomes were muscle mass (50 studies, i.e., present in 86.2% of studies), muscle strength (50 studies, 86.2%), ...

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06705166

Comparative Analysis of Sarcopenia in Rehabilitation ... This study aims to assess the impact of obesity on sarcopenia prevalence and severity in older adults recovering from femoral neck fractures, addressing an ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1524904225001237

Effects of External and Internal Focus of Attention Exercises ... Conclusions. This study showed that external focusing was more effective than internal focusing on balance, performance, and posture in individuals with CLBP.

5. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41413-025-00455-8

Research progress on sarcopenia in the musculoskeletal ... Clinical evidence indicates that whole-body vibration (WBV) therapy demonstrates significant benefits in improving key physical performance ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11929733/

Health outcomes of sarcopenia: a consensus report by the ... in 2017 [44] found that sarcopenia, assessed using EWGSOP1's criteria, was associated with increased incident fracture rates (HR: 9.66, 95% CI ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167494324000281

Examining the role of attention focus walking training on ... The EAFWG showed significant reduction on real-time conscious motor processing immediately after training (p = 0.015). No changes were observed for the IAFWG ...

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12152322/

Functional Performance Decline Outperforms Sarcopenia and ... A randomized controlled study has shown that exercise training in older adults with advanced CKD is safe and is associated with functional ...